Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Parkinson's disease (or, simply, Parkinson's or PD) is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders. It is a slowly progressing, degenerative disease.

What You Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease

More than one million people in the United States are living with the neurodegenerative ravages of Parkinson's disease. This disease, which typically hits people past the age of 65, gradually strips away motor abilities, leaving them with a slow and awkward gait, rigid limbs, tremor, shuffling and a lack of balance.

No one knows what causes Parkinson's. Most cases arise spontaneously; some are hereditary. What is known is that brain cells in the area of the brain called the "substantia nigra" die off. These are the cells which manufacture the molecule dopamine, a chemical that helps control muscle movement.

Thanks to recent advances in the lab, including the pinpointing of several Parkinson's genes, research is exploding. Scientists are now picking apart newly discovered biochemical pathways involved in the disease and uncovering new targets for therapy.

Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors and Causes

There’s no single known cause of Parkinson’s disease. Instead, a constellation of interlocked pieces triggers this chronic, progressive neurological disorder.

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Options

With today's medicine, we have yet to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. However, based on the severity of the symptoms and medical profile, the doctor will establish an appropriate treatment protocol.

Caring for Someone with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's Syndromes

Parkinson's disease is also called primary parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson's disease. (Idiopathic is the term for a disorder for which no cause has yet been identified.)

In the other forms of parkinsonism, either the cause is known or suspected, or the disorder occurs as a secondary effect of another primary neurological disorder that may have both primary and secondary symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These disorders, described as Parkinson's syndrome, atypical Parkinson's, or, simply, parkinsonism, may include the following:

Tumors in the brain

Repeated head trauma

Drug-induced parkinsonism. This occurs due to the prolonged use of tranquilizing drugs, such as the phenothiazines, butyrophenones, reserpine, and the commonly used drug, metoclopramide for stomach upset.

Toxin-induced parkinsonism. This occurs due to manganese and carbon monoxide poisoning.